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December 15, 2003 |
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BuzzFlash Note: We received so much mail about the capture of Rumsfeld's old friend, Saddam Hussein, that we put it all together on its own page. Non-Saddam mail is below. All if it is worth reading. Subj: Thank you...thank you...thank you!!!! Thank you for all you do in keeping us in the real know! Also I appreciate all your support in this computerized voting scam being forced on us. Your articles have helped all of us who are active in this cause to get the word out! Thanks again and please keep up the exposure of Diebold and others. I'll be donating to your cause next week when I get my bonus! Thanks again. Warmest Regards, Kim Cummings Subj: Bush is my Muse Why do I keep hearing people explaining that Dick Cheney had nothing to do with all of Halliburton's Iraq contracts? It's absurd beyond belief. But, it has inspired a small little play. I'm shopping the script around as we speak...
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: but still getting contracts from defense dept.... hell it's not THEIR money
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: O'Reilly I couldn't believe O'Reilly's show last night. He managed to blame the shortage of flu vaccine on Hillary Clinton! Thousands of doses of the vaccine were thrown away last year because they were not needed, yet somehow, the lack of vaccine this year is Hillary's fault. Next he'll be blaming the Clintons for global warming. When will the liberals launch their own network? A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: OPEC and EUROS I haven't seen an WORD about this in US media so far. OPEC is meeting, and making plans to abandon the US Dollar as the sole currency of payment on the world OIL market. Hello Hello ? George George, are you back from your jog ? Well, wake him up from his nap, this is serious. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: No WONDER that goddamn turkey looked so perfect!!!!
Mika BuzzFlash, Isn't it a shame that our commander in chief is so afraid of the men and women that he send overseas to protect us that they have to be screened in order to have dinner with him on Thanksgiving. Daily reader Subj: Pundit Stupidity Bob Somerby lays in out in yesterday’s Howler, http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh121103.shtml, how the so-called pundits are invoking the “I invented the Internet”when discussing President Gore’s endorsement of Howard Dean. It made me wonder, why would they do this? Do they just take their cues from watching each other; see what gets a positive response and copy it. Or is it a concerted effort to minimize the importance of the endorsement by the less than subtle attack on Gore’s credibility? My vote goes to the latter much the same as the criticism about not endorsing Lieberman or giving him advance notice. As far as I am concerned, if it makes Lieberman drop out one day earlier, all the better. As Bob often points out, this type of clowning is an insult to public discourse. I sent an email (included below) to Meet the Press, mtp@nbc.com, because Russert used this same line on Letterman. It is increasingly more apparent that these pundits are not neutral arbiters of discourse.
Turk Subj: Canada too patriotic! According to a poll that was taken a few days ago, Americans think that Canadians are too patriotic. This from a country that pledges allegiance to a flag, takes off their hats a sports events, and frowns open the burning of their flag. See link to read full story. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, being the patriotic Canadian that I am, but isn't showing the flag of the country you love, and belong to, a good thing? Just asking. Janet McQueen P.S. also very happy she's not an American P.P.S. not that there's anything wrong with that <g> Subj: The US Contractor Controversy in Iraq The idea that only US contractors and possible "coalition" countries because US soldiers died for this cause is truly off the edge of reason. As if the soldiers that are being killed and wounded in Iraq will enjoy the benefits of Halliburton overcharging the US taxpayer so carry fuel into Iraq. I propose that US soldiers should be granted stock option Halliburton, Bechtel and KRB. Then they too could also benefit by risking their lives for these corporations. In turn, maybe the military should grant naming rights to its divisions. The adoption of this practice would also be in line with Rumsfeld's privatization of the military. I for one can never understand how units are named. If we have a 101 First Airborne, where are the 100th, the 99th, and so on? Why don't we just call it the Bechtel Division? Its easier to remember and makes more sense. Soldiers could fight even harder if they had equity. After a particularly successful battle, they could watch their stocks or options rise in value on Neil Cavuto's show. We could have a "Halibut on Raiders" and a "Bechtel Bombers". Folks back home could root for their favorites while watching the ticker on CNBC. Corporations would pay millions for naming rights. Why limit naming rights to such places like Enron Field? The millions raised could offset the rising costs of the fiasco and it would make transparent to America's voters what's really happening. A BuzzFlash reader Subj: to bad too late before the war many of us at work were saying "just watch, follow the money, if you want to know why we went to war, watch and see who benefits finically, then you will know why" now everyone is telling us we were right! too bad it's too late! shorty in memphis tn Subj: It's not about being mad The Chicago Sun Times headline reads "Braun and Kucinich Mad at ABC." The story continues on about how irritated the two are about ABC dropping the imbedded reporters and interviews. This is exactly what Dennis was talking about when he lambasted Koppel at the debate—they never, ever seem to get to the important stuff. The real issue here is not that either of these two candidates are "mad"—the issue is that ABC (and all the others) have pre-determined the outcome of the election before any voter has even gone into the booth. It is not ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX or any other media outlet’s job to pick the Democratic nominee for the Presidential election. That’s my job and every other voter’s job, and if the media did theirs responsibly, we voters would find it much easier to do the due diligence necessary to make an informed decision. Go Dennis, Go Carol, Go Al. Inconvenience the media every chance you get! Levy Subj: Oil Overcharges . . . Buzz: This minor storm over Halliburton overcharging for oil delivery and Brown Root & Kellogg overbidding for cafeteria service is another in the long line of Bush manufactured issues to make him appear like he's on top of things and guarding the public treasury. Its just a smokescreen. 61 million is pocket change in a $1.5 billion cost plus, no bid contract. Given the Pentagon has misplaced, mis-spent, mis... something over 1.5 trillion, this 61 mil pales to lunch money significance in the retheftican scheme of rip-offs. IT Subj: The Bush doctrine: lose friends and alienate people -- then ask them for help. December 12, 2003
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Drudge starting subtle Dean smear campaign Interesting alert:
Christine Subj: Overtime and women I just watched a discussion on c-span about the overtime trickery this GOP adm. is trying to ram through congress. I hope you will be able to find someone who can clearly state the effects on the working people that someone can explain how bad it will effect women. A good easy to understand article is needed so we can email copies to women all across America. Thank you Colleen Subj: War backers should be rewarded??! Hi Buzz, How quaint! So, at the top of his most pompous form, Bush says only the people willing to give lives should get the lucrative contracts to rebuild the country. It looks to me as if the actual lives that have been given, be they our soldiers along with British soldiers and Italian soldiers as well as uncounted thousands of Iraqi citizens should then be the most 'rewarded' people. But the fact is, our soldiers are giving their lives for less pay and less medical attention, and less long term benefits. Will their loved ones be 'rewarded'? Iraqis are giving their lives and they are not even being counted, so obviously their families will never be 'rewarded' Excuse my rant please, but watching Bush giving that explanation with such self congratulatory sanctimoniousness and in so condescending a manner while Condi sits behind him looking for all the world like the bulldog (so reminiscent of Barbara Bush's expression) watching to catch people's reactions (for later reference, no doubt, as to who in that room will be 'rewarded') makes me want to see both of them on the front lines, eating the same dust storms and dodging the same bullets and mortars that our 'unrewarded' soldiers are doing. I'm beyond outraged, or shock, or anger or even hurt by what Bush does on an hourly basis. Now I'm just flat out OFFENDED!!! Offended as a US citizen, and offended in the name of all of humanity and all that is spiritual and for our very planet. I'm offended in the name of our soldiers, and I'm offended to the depths of my soul in the name of every single innocent child that dies daily because Bush and his ilk are willing to give their lives in order to reap 'rewards'. Judith Foster, Subj: Democrats miss golden opportunity When Koppel asked if the candidates if any believed Dean could beat Bush they ALL should have raised their hands. Most of them could. The problem is that Bush won't be the opponent. It will be the entire Republican machine and money, and the kind of press Gore contended with. To beat that it will need all the Democrat contenders campaigning for whoever gets the nomination as if they had got that nomination. If this doesn't happen it is four more years of Bush. Bill Carter Why didn't the Democrats stage a counter-signing re the horrible Medicare bill when Bush did his big visual that made so much news. The Dems could have held a separate ceremony with seniors holding signs and spelling out how corrupt that bill is. Why don't the Dems do that? Karl Rove's mantra is that it's all about visuals. Why doesn't the other side do something instead of just grousing about how unfair it all is? Myra Subj: An understatement of the year? Dear Buzz, from a CNN piece you feature in today's headlines:
That would qualify for The Understatement of The Year Award in my judgment, but then it seems that the reservoir of spin tactics used by the members of the Bush cartel is just bottomless. Consider the below, coming directly from the mouth of The Spinner-in-Chief himself (quoted in the same CNN article):
Is it really, George? How would you know - have you talked to any real American taxpayers lately? I'm an American taxpayer and this moronic decision flies not only against my wishes, but also against common sense and decency. No, we do NOT expect our elected (well...) government representatives to make stupid, hurtful and inhumane decisions influencing the fate of the world in our name. I do not endorse fascism - nor do any of other taxpayers I'm personally familiar with. Please, NOT IN OUR NAME. A Buzz Reader Subj: "Volunteers" to audit Halliburton books Dear Buzz, GW Bush stated yesterday that he was going to have "volunteers" audit the Halliburton-Iraq books. I wonder who those volunteers will be? The same Arthur Andersen accountants who helped Enron cook their books? Or maybe it will be the same Deloitte and Touche auditors who "overlooked" the Rigas family's theft of Adelphia's assets?! (And then there are the accountants who worked for World Com, Tyco...etc. etc. You get the picture!) Just asking. Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN) Hi Buzz, When All three branches of government are controlled by the repugs You get NO oversite and Halliburton along with republican contributors steal your tax money, and rob America bind. All the while they point to some welfare abuse that amounts to pennies so we won't notice the BILLIONS Republican OWNED corporations take, leaving no funds for social programs that help all Americans. Buzz reader The whole Bush cartel should resign and face prosecution. Far as long as Bush and Cheney are our president and vice the united states will always be at odds with other countries. The reason is they are so arrogant. Bush and the republicans wants everybody to cater to them and if you don't then you are the bad guy. Part of being a good leader is being a smart one who can communicate with others. Bush doesn't have the skills of Bill Clinton, this is why america is hated. They don't hate the people, they hate Bush. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: True Unemployment Figures Look for the next Bush/Republican headline to read, "filing for unemployment drops!" Just realize this is not because the number of unemployed is down, but because Bush/Republicans have stopped all extended unemployment benefits and have left those they put out of work with nothing! John Andersen Subj: Cheney's Real Motive The explanation that the killing and chaos happening in Iraq is due to Bush and his band of military thug's poor planning and incompetence, or unexpected Iraqi resistance does not expose the real motive. Were the American military leaders in charge of the invasion so inexperienced, incompetent or just plain stupid that they neglected to secure Iraqi munitions after taking over the country? Wouldn't this be normal procedure in an invasion? Wouldn't the leaders have learned this some time as they advanced from private to multi-star General? With all the Americans killed with these same weapons, ask them (including Commander and chief, Bush) at their courts-martial. (While he is there, Bush also needs to be tried for desertion during a time of war for his lost year from the Coast Guard) This, and all the other "problems" our military is having were and are part of the plan. If we had invaded Iraq, deposed Saddam and turned Iraq over to the Iraqis, there would be no reason for the American military to stay, and the companies that have contributed millions of dollars to Bush would not be able to make billions of dollars in payback money. Nor would Halliburton be able to control the Iraqi oil. The chaos was and continues to be on purpose, not poor planning or incompetence. If all of Bush's lies and "failures" (tax cuts to create jobs, cut down trees to save forests, his clean air initiative that dirties our air, etc., etc., etc.), were investigated beyond poor planning or incompetence to the true motive, we would find Dick Cheney, the real leader behind the puppet leader Bush, doing a very successful job making huge profits at the expense of the American taxpayers for the industrial-military complex. John Andersen Subj: Crony Capitalism Buzz, I don't see why anyone is surprised by the Bush administration policy of limiting prime contracts in Iraq to "coalition" countries. This administration has been the epitome of crony capitalism from the first day. Rule #1 is to reward your friends and punish everyone else. Who could expect anything but more of the same as they divide the spoils in Iraq. They are certainly consistent. Too bad it's consistently wrong. Bob Dare Subj: Kenny Boy Lay Hi Buzz: Just thought I'd share my response with you to the Telegraph's "Scandal Fatigue" Ken Lay article you featured. Below is the letter I sent the Telegraph: * * * Sirs, Normally, I would have been heartened to read the article regarding the hot breath of the law bearing down on the neck of Kenny Lay and the boys. However, as a realist, and an American citizen under the Bush regime, I would place a significant sum of money in a New York minute on a bet that Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling will never, ever be indicted for anything, ever. Bush's boys wearing orange jumpsuits? Not going to happen. In fact, I can tell you right now what will happen: There will be some incredible smoking gun which will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling deliberately manipulated Enron numbers in order to perpetrate fraud on Enron's investors and employees. All the American "left-wing" blogs and newspapers will run the discovery of this smoking gun in giant print as their headline for two weeks or so. The British and Australian papers will also pick it up. There will be a feature article on it in The Economist. There will be no mention of it in the mainstream American press. If there is, the sentence will begin thusly: Democratic presidential candidate (fill in blank) today called for an investigation into the recent discovery of (insert smoking gun here) and the allegations that the Bush White House had prior knowledge of (insert smoking gun here.) Press Secretary Scott McClellan dismissed this call for an investigation by stating the White House has referred the matter to the Justice Department -- McClellan also added, that's not how this White House operates. Mainstream Americans will hear of the smoking gun only via Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, where it will be spun as an attempt by Howard Dean to smear a God-fearing, freedom-loving man (that would be Bush.) The New York Times will finally run a short front-page article, thusly:
The Washington Post will have two opposing views in the same issue, thusly:
A week after this, the local 11 o'clock news will run a blurb, thusly:
End of story. It's not scandal fatigue I'm suffering from. It's where's-the-justice fatigue. ========= Buzz, thank you for keeping up the good fight! Sincerely, Bri Held Re: Free Speech as the Cause for 2004 election The Strategy This "Free Speech Policy" has only worked because of the apathy of the American Public to resist this obvious encroachment on our constitutional right to Free Assembly and to protest against government officials and policy. If huge protests were organized to challenge this policy by civil disobedience, it would immediately expose the Republicans as the Fascists, one party rule hopefuls that they are. If, as Martin Luther King said, we are willing to fill the jails with civil disobedience against this policy, it would throw the Republicans so far of message to deal with it that they would be isolated in what's left of an objective media as the usurpers Of civil rights that they are. It would very quickly become a Cause Celebre to join the effort. While the "Through them in jail and throw away the key set" whines for more arrests, the issue would become the preeminent issue of the election. It would put the Republicans into a position of being against the most fundamental aspects of a free democracy and paint them with the brush of seeking totalitarianism. There should be NO QUARTER for Bush to get away with hand picked audiences that make him look like the peoples choice. Just imagine a few thousand Anti-Bush protesters showing up every time Bush speaks. Then imagine a guy like Miami's chief of police having several hundred of them arrested at each speech. Then when, as usual, all or most of the cases are dismissed, the sentiment will build to start investigating the practice and to expose it for what it really is, a partisan attack on the constitution by the Republicans. Then you will see a band of the few Republicans with integrity distance themselves from the Bush camp. This strategy will snowball quickly. Best regards, Bill Short A Lesson from Shakespeare When people criticize us as rude for describing Bush as he is and not as Fox would have him be, I always think of the loyal servant Kent's retort to King Lear in Shakespeare's greatest tragedy: "Be Kent unmannerly when Lear is mad!" And indeed that play seems to me urgently relevant at the moment for its lesson on true and false loyalty, spurious and genuine patriotism. The old king, for those who haven't cracked their Shakespeare for a while, decides to resign his power and divide his kingdom up among his three daughters. Terrible idea in the first place according to the political consensus of the day, but to make it worse he then demands that each daughter make a sycophantic speech about how much she loves him. So the two scheming suck-ups, Regan and Goneril, pass the test while the sincere Cordelia is disinherited for refusing to flatter him sufficiently. It's at this point that Kent protests. Lear tells him to be an obedient subject and shut up. When he persists, he's banished. He risks his life by coming back in disguise to bear witness and if possible help his deluded king. Kent is my idea of a true patriot, a good citizen. And he does not mince words; his tirade to the toady Oswald is one of the most inspired literary insults in the English language. So: Be Kent (or Krugman, or Ivins, or Dowd, or Corn, or Buzz) unmannerly when Bush is mad. -- Paul Breslin Subj: Mailbag 12/12/03 Dear BuzzFlash, So far as the endorsement of Howard Dean...anyone can see that he is the front runner, and Gore is free to endorse anyone he wants. Dean came through the gate, first...and hit the ground running...and he has never faltered. Maybe folks forget the nastiness of the Clinton years...I have never! There was not a day went by that someone like Laura Ingraham was not finding something else to lie about...some other woman accusing him of sexual battery...whatever!! Bimbos..all over!!!! I look back to that time...and I think that Al Gore thought that he had to do the opposite..and fell hook, line and sinker for the entire picture....be different...they had slammed Clinton so much...no one knew what was truth and lies!!....I did...But many democrats thought we could just well be done with Clinton. And, they still do that, even now with the most heinous, disgusting, lying bunch ever in this White House..criminal intent...to the hilt! So, Joe Lieberman goes on the floor of the senate...and bashes the most intelligent man to be president for a long time..since the Kennedy days...at least! He bragged," I was the first person to go on the Senate Floor and chide Mr. Clinton for his bad behavior..."...and I will never, ever forget that! When Gore chose him...I really believe, in his dumbing down...he thought that would help him to get into the White House...The entire sloppy Kiss was another. And his constant preaching of being his own "man"! So..after three years of horror....and helplessness...watching the country go down the drain, at least as we know it...the lies, the corruption...the real thing...I think Gore started to think..(anyone smart enough to invent the internet -- LOL 0,...would wonder "What have I done?" And of course, Clinton made his mistakes, too! No, not the dalliance with an intern, but allowing himself to be treated like a commoner...someone who had no Executive Privilege!!! He should have spat in the faces of everyone of the media...the Fox Network..especially...and all the others who tried to imitate the Fox Net...(As most of you know) a newscaster was recently fired for not speaking the name of Michael Jackson for an entire 5 minutes....it was a must, you see, at Fox..the most unfair and unbalanced attack on anyone's ears!!! Get Clinton was their Motto during the nineties!!!!! I never..ever forgot the way Lieberman and Gore lost my trust at that time. Al was careful to not besmirch the name of Clinton...but, he just did not speak...it was like he went into a hole and never came out...until the damage was so bad that it made no difference anyway. So, now he is wiser...he is standing up for what he believes. Of course, the rightwing of this country is going to scream bloody murder.."Stabbing Lieberman in the back." The last debate with Ted Koppel was a low point for Koppel...and without a doubt, the worst of the debates!!! They came out of the gate, this time, making a mockery of the entire process of trying to run for the office of President of the United States. This time, making fun of Howard Dean...trying to get the others to make his campaign a living hell!!! What has Dean been doing? Working his backside off to be president...he has bragged on Clinton...not overly, like Lieberman does..(oh, please, when he does that I want to reach up on the screen and slap that ugly face). Sorry, I got a little carried away there...but I do not have any respect or love for Joe Liebermann..and it is not because of his face..it is a memory I have of a senator, a democratic senator, standing in the well of the Senate...and bashing an intelligent human being who had so run this country...that I looked forward to no Axis of Evil...no jobs lost...no deficit for our children and grandchildren living in a country with plenty of jobs...a good health system (after all, what we had then, even if not improved, is better than what we have to look forward to now) a peaceful man..oh, yes, ...Clinton was a peace-maker!! He would sit down with anyone...and make them think about what they were doing! Make them shake hands and a smile would come to their faces...and sometimes it did not last...but, they would try again...time taken trying to bring peace without lives lost is heaven...it is good!!! And, now we have the questions in our minds..of this administration...the questions about 911...how much did they know..and when did they know it? Getting every single thing they ask for from the Congress and the Senate...even though they swear they will not!!!! And, folks that is a scary thing...so much control for one party..and especially, a party who does not care about the middle class, or the downtrodden...and by the time the country is unfixable...this administration will be long gone!!! Were the deals with Halliburton made before the event??? How, if you read the many things, the many unanswered questions...can we not ask...was it planned...at least some of it...why did Norad stand down...on that strange day?? What, actually, is the Project for A New American Century??? Why were planes not scrambled at the first signs of the bombings? There had to be something wrong there...if most planes go off course...instantly, there are planes there! The instance I can think of first...was the plane of the famous golfer...who had a heart attack...and there were planes there instantly....there are absolutely too many questions! And, now, there are eight Democrats...with the exception of Wesley Clark..who are acting like the Fox Network...Sharpton who called Gore's endorsement "Bossism." And no one held up their hands...at that instant I knew what this debate would be...at that very instant!!!! I think the other candidates should have been ashamed of themselves, too! If they do not think Howard Dean can beat Bush, and before had inferred that anyone of them could...Howard certainly had...then why not show solidarity...and hold up their hands....the crowd would have roared!!! The way it turned out....it was just another Fox Network propaganda piece!!!!!!!! There are two of the democratic candidates that I would not vote for...you may be able to guess them!! But, anyone of them...in my book, I would hope would be better than George Bush...But, please God, help them to get along..and stop acting like republicans...selfish ones!! We need to win in 2004!! My granddaughter, stationed in Baghdad, is home on R&R, she uses the same mantra, that you hear from the young brainwashed military personel...and I love this girl...and am proud that she would serve at any needed time...but my heart aches for the young people who think this is a necessary war...that we have a right to invade a country and kill their young...they are doing the bidding of a maniac..and I am not sure if it is Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld...or a combo of all!!! Shirley...............St.Louis Subj: Who pays? Am a devoted fan and read you everyday so had a couple of questions I wonder if you could answer for me. Could you find out and publish, who pays when Bush takes Air Force One to all these fund raisers. He always goes someplace that is "government qualified" and then on to the fund raiser. Is that his way of making the taxpayer pay for all these trips? Or does the Republican Party pay with all the 110+ million he has raised for them? Also, really wonder, how many days has he actually stayed in Washington this past year? Know he causes damage to the country when he does stay, but is it any better to have Cheney run the place? Thanks for your time. A BuzzFlash Reader Sent to: letters@rockymountainnews.com, littwinm@RockyMountainNews.com: Subj: Dean Bashing and Reception Regarding your recent opinion piece "Open Dean's records": Dean has already suggested that an independent judge review all of the sealed records, and determine which should be made public. That's a pretty open, honest solution, I'd say. But the News ignores this, using vague, innuendo-filled language to imply that Dean is trying to hide something. Someone reading only the RMN would get the impression that it's not really important that Bush's blatant lies resulted in thousands of deaths (with many more crippled), or that the administration is systematically destroying legal and health protections for citizens - because you don't bother to cover stories like that. You're too busy running Republican feel-good stories about soldiers cheering Bush's pose with a plastic turkey - which you didn't even tell us was fake. If any of your readers still trust the RMN to report accurately on what is important to them, they are ignorant, gullible saps. Honest and informed citizens, however, should have nothing but contempt for news organizations such as Fox News and the Rocky Mountain News which discard journalistic principles in favor of deliberate, politicized deception, whether for ideological conviction or profit. Scott McGlasson Subj: Tom Daschle Hi, I have a similar affliction to yours--Directness, Bluntness--whatever. So bear with me, please. Have read your commentaries on Tom Daschle. I agree at times I am disappointed, but I wonder if there is not a more serious problem. Discipline within the party. Is our party structured in such a way that our Leaders cannot exert some control on serious issues. Could it be that this system of first going to the Center (Moderate Dems and Moderate Republicans) the commitment is made to this group (ignoring the base of the party). Once you are elected you will consider this "middle" first and thus we have 11 Democratic Senators actually pass Medicare Bill. while 8 or 9 Republicans voted against this Bush Disaster. The same thing happened with both Tax cuts. In fact it has been DLC Democrats who clinched the deal for Bush on all his legislation. Something tells me Daschle could not have changed this. Witness now how the DLC types are in a panic over Dean. We will lose our elections if he is our nominee. If they had a loyal Democratic Base with whom they regularly communicated why would they have to be so concerned. I am not a Dean supporter but they hyper reaction by DLC tells me volumes. Have you ever noticed that these people for the most part are from the poorest states in the union..Yet they vote the interests of the Rich. I cannot totally hold Daschle responsible. I would love to know if there is some unwritten rule somewhere that permits this group to do do pretty much what they wish. This is not politically correct within the party but I have to vent somewhere. Thanks for listening. Mary Ford, Dublin OHIO Subj: "Uncovered" House Party Dear BuzzFlash, I wanted to let you know that I signed up for and attended one of the MoveOn.org House Parties to see the film "Uncovered" on December 7th along with several thousand others across the country. First let me say what a pleasure it was to be among so many other thinking Americans who have the same concerns as I do about our great country. The house was more than full but all were accommodated. I brought a friend and we had to stand the whole time but it was so worth it. People were nice enough to bring finger food and non-alcoholic drinks so after a brief social hour, we all quieted down to hear the conference call with MoveOn folks and the producer of the film, Robert Greenwald. It was very empowering to think the same thing was going on in other parts of the country. The film was about 56 minutes long and it was a measured, even toned and very impressive accounting of how this administration has lied and manipulated all of us to achieve their own ends. The people who were telling their story on film were CIA agents, ex-Military brass, diplomatic staff, foreign service staff, many of them Republicans still but the need to speak out against this anti-democratic administration was stronger than their political affiliation. No one was shrill or extreme. It was calm, intelligent and coherent. A few times during the film, a person would call out a comment, such as "Liar!" when the film showed Bush saying something false. And there was much snickering when the film showed Bush and his impressive but impossible bulge on the aircraft carrier. (I think someone told him to put paper towels there but he misunderstood and put the whole roll in!) But for the most part it was a silent, civilized, intent crowd who wanted to hear the truth and nothing but the truth. After the film, our host took our photo for MoveOn.org to show on their website. Then she thanked us all for coming and said that the producer of the film, Robert Greenwald has not copywritten the film for the express reason that he wants it copied or sold to anyone and everyone, schools, libraries, groups of any kind. Anything to get it out to the most people possible. The host said she didn't know if it could be purchased online and I raised my hand and told everyone about BuzzFlash.com so I'm hoping you get some requests for the film. People were interested and they wrote your name down. This was my first time at a political get together and I was not alone in my virginity at that house party. Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country (forgive the paraphrase)! Now is the best time to get involved. As Nike likes to say, JUST DO IT! Thanks for all you do, BuzzFlash, Kathy from Pasadena, CA Subj: Debates-Debacle Hi Buzz, Did I get the right message from the Ted Koppel moderated democratic debate? Did the Teddy actually tell Candidates Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich to get out of their seats and go to the back of the bus or worse to get off the bus? The Ted actually hid the command in the folds of a pompous, arrogant, humiliating and insulting question. That is how it landed on me and I was just watching at home. Imagine being there, having the impression that anyone who is a citizen and of age can aspire to the Presidency. even those who do their school work in a poor home by candlelight or in a stately mansion of wealth and privilege and the means to buy or steal it? I felt the impact of that question deep inside. Here it was the 'media' taking off the gloves and coming right out, no innuendo, no code words just the blustering announcement that they are in control and mind your ways, 'get out'! That is what Ted does. His questions are a bloated labor of love and, by gosh, if you do not measure up he is not liking wasting his prize on you. I have seen Ted do this before. In an interview with the 2000 candidate Al Gore his questioning bordered on insulting. Ted justified that by claiming that his daughter was going to vote for Gore, so it was OK. Here he is again, a bouncing proud of himself hair ball with no sense of decency. To their credit the three candidates did not let Ted yank them out of their seats and their responses were relatively calm. I was hoping for more, the 'mediamaster Koppel exposes the tawdry opinionated underbelly and it is time to pull back the covers and show it for what it is, a tool of the power makers. Dennis made a fine rebuttle, but I was wanting more. I was wanting some of the others not picked out for disposal, not this time anyway to join in. I wanted someone to say they were proud to be in the company of the nine candidates any of whom would be far better a president that the current one. That Ted's question was an attack. An attack on all of the candidates and all of the supporters of our candidates. Jeffrey Schneider, an ABC vice president said on Democracy Now that he will not second guess Koppel, a highly regarded show host. Well, I do not mind second guessing Koppel. He is an overcooked egg and his shell is badly cracked. It is time to yank him. Best Cole... Subj: cbsnews.com doesn't want to know CBS News' feed back isn't working so I thought you might be interested in the (spin?) error they let slide in an interview with an FBI official Regarding: New FBI Intel rules worry critics The quote in the last paragraph contains a factual error that should have been pointed out to your readers. "The principle danger the old rules were designed to avoid: to make sure that the FBI wasn't using intelligence authorities when they were really just looking for bad guys." J. Edgar Hoover was the reason. And he wasn't looking for bad guys, he was misusing those powers for political purposes. Precisely the abuse the fourth amendment was designed to prevent!!! There are already reports that Mr. Ashcroft has allowed such abuses on his watch: just ask the Texas state House Democratic representatives! I wonder if anyone else found this misrepresentation odd? Keep up the good work, J S Benkert Sent to: countdown@msnbc.com, Erik.Sorenson@MSNBC.com: Subj: Comment on the Countdown show 12/14/03 Dear Mr. Oberman, Why do you rarely if ever mention General Wesley Clark in your daily 2004 election coverage? I would like to hear more about this man's candidacy. Considering that he is in 2nd place in most of the polls and is fundraising above all but possibly Howard Dean, it's a mystery to me that you never report on him. It seem relevant that you would have mentioned him this evening. Considering that he is testifying at the Hague against another dictator from one of our wars. I'll tell you that there is a wide reaching rumor that is going around the internet. Many are saying that Clark is being excluded on purpose because he is Karl Rove's worst nightmare. If that was the case though, wouldn't that mean that MSNBC is in cahoots with Karl Roves and the Republican party? Tell me this isn't so Mr. Oberman. Tell me that MSNBC is not working for the White House. I'm sure there is a better explanation. I will await it. Respectfully, C. McClendon Subj: Bush government "science" Dear Buzz ~ Thank you for the excellent interview with Robert Kennedy, Jr. Adding to his examples, I would like to mention the Bush administration and the lead industry. A panel of scientists advising the government on childhood lead poisoning was on the brink of lowering the "acceptable" lead level. Bush disbanded the advisory panel and stacked it with lead industry people. See: http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/1135/1/4/ Also noteworthy is that Secretary of the Interior Gayle Norton was an attorney for National Lead Industries, whom she defended against suits on behalf of children poisoned by lead-based paint in schools. Nice lady. (As you know, lead causes irreversible brain damage, among other problems. The effects can be subtle at lower levels ~ eg, somewhat lowered IQ ~ as well as severe, even fatal, at high levels.) When Norton was appointed she claimed the lead industry had self-policed, but in fact it has a history rife with deception and dirty tricks, all in the name of profit. For instance, decades ago the lead industry sent representatives from school to school saying schools should repaint with " sanitary, hygienic lead paint." In the early days of the medical case against lead, the industry sent representatives to children's hospitals to tell doctors that their diagnoses of lead poisoning were wrong ~ all because the lead paint manufacturers wanted to keep making their paint the same old way, just like our fossil fuel friends evidently. (See the book "Deceit and Denial: The Deadly Politics of Industrial Pollution" by Markowitz and Rosner.) Anyway, thanks for a terrific interview. I greatly appreciate your keeping such issues on the front burner when the media insist on "Saddamizing" us. Harriet a BuzzFlash reader Subj: What? Why? Hello BuzzFlash, I would like to know why George Dubya Bush is ignoring the flu epedemic. Why cant THEY make a batch of flu shots? Yea, he might of had captured Saddam but what about the 20 children that have died because someone's not doing there job. Thank you, BuzzFlash Fan Subj: Restricted Competition in Iraq Will Cost Every Taxpayer Bigtime! Dear Buzz, Bush’s decision to spend our money in Iraq with rules that restrict competition to a handful of coalition nationals is a gigantic waste of taxpayer dollars. Economists may disagree on almost everything, but there is no disagreement that competitive bidding invariably decreases costs and improves performance in every contract situation. So where are cries from those Republicans who claim to be so eager to cut government waste? Where are the cries of Democrats for that matter? This is no small matter. We’re talking about nearly ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS of government spending. And we are talking about a decision to limit competition to companies from only small part of the industrialized world. This is ridiculous. Steve Bodenheimer Subj: Complaining doesn't help - action does! It is all well and good to complain about the Bush administration but until we all start putting our money where our mouth is, it's not going to accomplish anything. Unless you want to see another 4 years of Bush, this is what you need to do. 1. Attend your local Democratic Committee meetings. 2. Volunteer to be a precinct captain and get out there and talk to people 3. Get involved in voter registration 4. Write letters to the editor 5. Write to your congress representatives and senators and let them know how you feel about issues. 6. Contribute money to your favorite candidates. 7. Talk to your friends and neighbors. 8. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! It might not be a bad idea to request an absentee ballot if you feel your voting machines aren't reliable. I'm doing all of these things - are You! Cynthia
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